System for monitoring processing device utilization in a computer

Abstract

A monitoring system capable of monitoring utilization of a processing device in a computer. The monitoring system includes a power supply voltage for supplying a core voltage to the processing device, and a comparator for comparing a voltage proportional to the core voltage to a reference voltage and producing a sense voltage. The resulting sense voltage is used to control a processing device management process, or alternatively may be used to control a variety of other processes including cooling fan operation.

1. A monitoring system capable of monitoring a central processor unit utilization in a computer, the system comprising:
 a power supply for supplying a core voltage to the central processor unit; and 
 a comparing circuit for comparing a voltage proportional to the core voltage to a reference voltage and producing a sense voltage, a first input of the comparing circuit connecting to the power supply and a second input of the comparing circuit connecting to a reference voltage source that outputs the reference voltage, wherein the reference voltage is set at a level corresponding to a nominal off-load voltage value for the core voltage. 
 
   
   
     2. The monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the first input of the comparing circuit is a non-inverting input and the second input of the comparing circuit is an inverting input. 
   
   
     3. The monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the first input of the comparing circuit is an inverting input and the second input of the comparing circuit is a non-inverting input. 
   
   
     4. The monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply has an output for outputting the core voltage, the comparing circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the power supply for inputting the core voltage and a second input for inputting the reference voltage. 
   
   
     5. The monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the comparing circuit comprises an operational amplifier. 
   
   
     6. The monitoring system of  claim 1  further comprising a digital-to-analog converter for generating the reference voltage input to the comparing circuit. 
   
   
     7. A method for monitoring processing device utilization in a computer, the method comprising the following steps:
 generating a core voltage for supply to a central processor unit; 
 comparing a voltage proportional to a core voltage of the processing device to a reference voltage, wherein the reference voltage is set at a level corresponding to a nominal off-load voltage value for the core voltage; 
 generating a sense voltage according to a difference between the voltage proportional to the core voltage and the reference voltage; and 
 utilizing the sense voltage to control a central processor unit management process. 
 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein generating a core voltage for supply to a central processor unit comprises outputting the core voltage from a power supply. 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein comparing a voltage proportional to a core voltage of the central processor unit to a reference voltage comprises comparing the core voltage to the reference voltage. 
   
   
     10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein comparing a voltage proportional to a core voltage of the processing device to a reference voltage comprises inputting the voltage proportional to the core voltage of the processing device to an inverting input of a comparing circuit and comparing the voltage proportional to a core voltage of the processing device to a reference voltage. 
   
   
     11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein generating a sense voltage comprises generating a sense voltage that is inversely proportional to the core voltage. 
   
   
     12. The method of  claim 7 , wherein comparing a voltage proportional to a core voltage of the processing device to a reference voltage comprises inputting the voltage proportional to the core voltage of the processing device to a non-inverting input of a comparing circuit and comparing the voltage proportional to a core voltage of the processing device to a reference voltage. 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein generating a sense voltage comprises generating a sense voltage that is proportional to the core voltage. 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising generating the reference voltage according to a nominal off-load core voltage of the processing device. 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising utilizing a digital to analog converter to generate the reference voltage.